076. Assassination Plan
The man spread his hands. Although his biological signal band was at the Gamma-tier, Nikita didn't dare take him lightly. He was older, his strength had waned, and he wasn't equipped with tactical gear—he might not be a match for someone young and brash.
What's more, the man had silently bypassed all the traps Nikita had set, arriving beside him and eavesdropping for a while. This alone showed he was no ordinary opponent.
At the very least, he was on par with Nikita, at the Delta-tier.
With only one life, it was better to be overly cautious than to die here; Nikita couldn't afford to lose his life on a whim.
"You think I'd believe such a common name?"
Nikita sneered.
At a time like this, saying "I'm called Leoz" sounded as unconvincing as a stranger saying, "I'm called Bob."
Unperturbed, Li Aozi transmitted his thoughts directly into Nikita's mind through psychic power: "Believe me or not, it doesn't matter. But I can tell you what happens if you don't."
"Oh?" Nikita maintained his combat stance, replying dismissively, "What could possibly happen? My country's already bankrupt, unemployed, stalled, out of control, facing stagflation, and losing imports—how much worse can it get?"
"You could become test subjects, mobile targets, and biological fertilizer."
Li Aozi replied.
"Annihilation?"
"Nation destroyed, families lost."
Nikita sneered:
"Nonsense! This is the interstellar era. Civilizations don't wage wars of extermination anymore. You're just an ignorant fool. Do you think I've aged without learning the law?"
"Laws are for the law-abiding. To preach legality to outlaws? I'd say your decades of violent experience have gone to the dogs."
Li Aozi spread his hands, feigning innocence:
"I suppose you don't know what the Blood of Nakis is, do you?"
"Who are you, really?"
Nikita asked in a low voice:
"I've never met anyone like you. You're not one of Vanlenkov's. Where exactly did you come from?"
"Want to know?" Li Aozi didn't answer directly but said calmly, "If you're interested in why your homeland attracted the attention of a narrative-level civilization, I'd be happy to explain. But if you keep doubting me, then let's say… being swept into history's dustbin is inevitable for you and your homeland."
The words stung, but Nikita grew calmer instead.
He thought for a moment, slowly lowering his claw, returning his hand to its humanoid form with six fingers, and nodded, signaling for Li Aozi to continue.
"Looks like I didn't misjudge you."
Li Aozi gave a mysterious comment, making Nikita think he'd been observing him for some time, then said:
"The Blood of Nakis is a unique existence, with properties similar to neutrinos—undetectable by any device. Even [Mediums] can't observe it from the spiritual realm; only by contacting it through biological matter can it be sensed."
"But if it can't be touched or seen, what's the use?"
"That's a narrow perspective."
Li Aozi chuckled:
"An undetectable substance would be perfect for concealing a fleet's presence, don't you think?"
"I doubt a narrative-level civilization lacks resources. That reason doesn't hold water."
"Then let's discuss another aspect."
Li Aozi continued:
"Viral.Z operates under a narrative-level civilization. What's the most vital, most desirable thing to them?"
"The Path."
Nikita blurted out, then suddenly realized:
"Are you saying the Blood of Nakis is connected to the Path?"
"Not necessarily, but the connection is likely significant. If it were a complete Path, it would directly involve the narrative-level civilization itself. Sending Viral.Z indicates they don't want to escalate things yet."
At this point, Li Aozi laid out his proposition:
"Mr. Nikita, how about a deal?"
"What do you want? Are you after the Blood of Nakis too?"
"I know a bit about it, but I'm not here for that. Otherwise, I'd have killed you to silence you."
Li Aozi said assertively, leaving Nikita speechless.
"Leoz, what are you here for?"
"Let's just say, for justice."
"…Justice?" Nikita sneered, curling his lips. "What a cringeworthy word."
"Actions over intentions. I'll make Viral.Z leave."
Li Aozi smiled:
"What I do won't disrupt your normal life in Vanlenkov. It'll only be beneficial. As for my goals—no need to discuss them."
Nikita was skeptical but found no malice in Li Aozi's demeanor.
On the contrary, there was an inexplicable sense of friendliness about him that made it hard to think of him as malicious.
As for strength… Nikita knew he alone couldn't challenge all of Viral.Z. Partnering might be the better option.
Trust, but not fully.
"Alright, if you can pull it off."
Nikita nodded.
"But what do you need from me?"
"I need information on your leader, Kalmets Shield Emblem, of Vanlenkov's Supreme Legion. Someone entrusted me to escort his children out of the country."
"Take Kalmets's children out of Vanlenkov?" Nikita was baffled. "Why not negotiate directly with Kalmets? Why approach an ex-scout like me?"
He suddenly thought of something, eyes wide:
"You're not… planning to kidnap the leader's children, are you?"
Without explaining, Li Aozi simply asked:
"Can you help me? I need to get them out of Vanlenkov without Kalmets knowing."
"That's not difficult." Nikita raised his hand, then lowered it again. "Are you trying to force Kalmets to step down… I suppose I don't have an issue with that."
"So Kalmets isn't treating you well?"
"No, he's good to us, which is why we don't want him as our leader."
Nikita said with a complicated expression:
"Sometimes, leadership isn't about character. A good man isn't always the one to bring prosperity. Our country's decline is partly due to Kalmets's strategies."
"Aren't you afraid I might kill Kalmets?"
"Kalmets is a kind man, but his kindness has led to countless deaths."
"If you did, it might even be for the best."
Nikita shook his head:
"Come, Li Aozi. I'll take you to the Merdelo Tower, where Kalmets's office and quarters are located. Heavily guarded, it's inaccessible to ordinary people."
"That's why I came to you."
Li Aozi said:
"Soren Nikita, the last of Vanlenkov's mutated heroes, a Purple-Gold combat mercenary, bearer of the Medal of Fearlessness, personally awarded by Kalmets. Of all the Shield Emblem family's contacts, you're the only living one."